Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Amy McWhorter, Downtown Development Coordinator
Contact Info
(830) 221-4057 - amcwhorter@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Approval of a temporary road closure for the third annual Dia de los Muertos Festival on October 27, 2018.
Body
BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
In 2016, the New Braunfels Hispanic Business Alliance (HBA) held their first Dia de los Muertos Festival and it was very successful. In 2017, the HBA moved the event to the public right-of-way in Downtown New Braunfels along San Antonio Street, Main Plaza, and Castell Avenue to better accommodate the popular event and enhance the event programming. This year, the HBA wishes to once again host the event in the public right-of-way in Downtown, using the same footprint as was approved by City Council in 2017.
It 2017, the festival operated from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., requiring a street closure from 2:00 p.m. until midnight. This year, the HBA is planning to extend the event hours from 12:00 noon until 10:00 p.m. The HBA is requesting approval for the following road closures on October 27, 2018:
• West San Antonio Street, 100 to 200 blocks (Main Plaza to the Union Pacific railroad tracks), from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 midnight.
• North Castell Avenue, 100 block (from Mill Street to West San Antonio Street), from 7:00 am until 12:00 midnight
• South Castell Avenue, portion of the 100 block (from West San Antonio Street to the alley behind the Downtown Antique Mall), from 7:00 am until 12:00 midnight
• Main Plaza, 5:00 p.m. until 12:00 midnight
• North Seguin Avenue, 100 block (from Mill Street to Main Plaza), 5:00 p.m. until 12:00 midnight
• South Seguin Avenue, 100 and 200 blocks (from Main Plaza to Coll Street), 5:00 p.m. until 12:00 midnight
• East San Antonio Street, 100 block (Main Plaza to Comal Avenue), 5:00 p.m. until 12:00 midnight
The City does not have a formal process for consideration of large, non-city sponsored events such as these. Chapter 126.41 of the City Code allows the Chief of Police the authority to close streets; however, traditionally this has been for public safety considerations or small events like neighborhood block parties (as an example.) Additionally, the “Street Closure Request” process outlined in Chapter 126.41 does not include requirements for City services such as trash clean up and street sweeping, or associated costs. Staff is developing a process for non-city sponsored special event requests that will address these items, but it is not yet in place. Therefore, staff thought it appropriate to bring this street closure request to the City Council for consideration.
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
City services will be reimbursed by the HBA; thus, there should be no costs to the City.
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the request.